There’s nothing cuter than walking into a room to see your cat sitting with their front paws crossed in an elegant yet casual pose. When they cross their paws and stare right at you, it’s almost as if they’re judging you for something you might or might not have done.
However, as a cat parent, you might be wondering why your cat crosses its paws. They may be judging you, they may be comfortable that way, or there may be a few other reasons for this behavior. Join us as we talk about the most typical reasons your feline friend crosses their front paws and more.
The 5 Reasons Why Your Cat Cross Their Front Paws
1. They Are Very Comfortable
If you find your feline pal stretched out on its front or side with its paws crossed, that means it’s extremely comfortable. Cats have been known to cross their paws because they like the way it feels. After all, it takes the pressure away from their elbows.
You’ve probably seen your cat prop its chin on its crossed paws; it creates a warm, cozy headrest for a tired kitty at the end of the day.
2. They Trust You
When a cat has complete trust in its surroundings and pet parents, it’s easier to relax and unwind. In this case, the cat crosses its paws, as it’s a comfortable position for it to sleep in.
A cat that isn’t secure in its environment or doesn’t trust its pet parents won’t stretch out to sleep, much less with its paws crossed. You know that your cat trusts you when you come across it sitting this way because it’s not easy to jump up and run away with paws crossed, so evidently, it doesn’t feel like it needs to.
3. They Are Relaxing
Many times, a cat sitting with their front paws crossed means that the cat is very comfortable. This type of position works for cats who want to remain alert to their surroundings but still be comfortable at the same time. Cats will also rest their chins on their crossed paw in this position because it provides a comfortable cushion when they fall asleep.
4. They Are Maine Coons
If you’ve ever been around a Maine Coon cat for any period of time, you’ve probably seen them crossing their paws. These cats are famous for this, and many think it’s because they are very trusting in their owners.
However, this is just an assumption that’s never been proven, but it’s still a nice assumption. If you own a Maine Coon Cat, it will likely adopt the position frequently.
5. They Have Neurological Issues
While most of the reasons on our list are cute, adorable, and just so your cat can be warm and cozy, one of the possible reasons for your cat crossing its front paws isn’t. It is possible that your cat is suffering from a neurological issue instead. If your cat is wobbling and walking around unsteadily while keeping its front paws crossed, you need to make an appointment with your vet immediately.
This condition is called Ataxia and is a result of pressure being placed on the spinal cord of a cat by a tumor or other health condition.
Summary
Cats cross their front paws for various reasons, and most of them have to do with relaxing and getting comfortable enough to sleep. This could also mean that your cat has a lot of trust in you or that your cat is a Maine Coon.
Ataxia also causes some cats to cross their front paws, and if you notice signs of the condition in your cat, contact your vet. If not, then you can be assured that it’s perfectly normal for your cat to sit with its front paws crossed and be amazed at how adorable your cat is.
Featured Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock
